By: Kashif Nawab
A major restoration initiative has been launched to rehabilitate agricultural land in Khushpur, a historic 125-year-old Christian village in Chak No. 51 GB, severely affected by climate change, particularly waterlogging and salinity. Over 50% of the village’s farmland has become unproductive due to environmental degradation, forcing many Christian farmers to sell their land at significantly low prices.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Bishop of Faisalabad, Dr. Indrias Rehmat, has taken a personal initiative to restore the village and preserve its farmland. A specialized restoration program has been launched, bringing together Dr. Yousaf Riaz, a presidential award-winning scholar in agricultural and environmental sciences, and George Boota, a dedicated community development leader, to drive the revival efforts.
In collaboration with the Christian Journalists Association of Pakistan (CJAP), the delegation visited Khushpur to assess the extent of the damage. Local farmers shared their challenges with Bishop Rehmat, while Dr. Yousaf Riaz collected soil samples from the affected fields. Speaking to journalists, Dr. Riaz stressed the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, warning that the loss of a substantial portion of fertile land in this historic Christian village was alarming. He called for immediate intervention to prevent further degradation and support the local farming community.
As part of the restoration plan, experts are exploring the construction of a small drainage canal and the installation of a water treatment plant to reclaim wastewater for agricultural use. Dr. Yousaf Riaz emphasized the importance of introducing salt-tolerant crops to adapt to the changing soil conditions. He also proposed establishing processing units within the village to create employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
During a follow-up meeting with Christian journalists, Dr. Yousaf Riaz emphasized the crucial role of media in raising awareness about the environmental crisis affecting Christian villages. He expressed his commitment to working with journalists to bring this issue to national and international attention, advocating for large-scale restoration efforts. He also announced the launch of a pilot project in Khushpur, which aims to serve as a model for restoring other climate-affected villages.
Earlier, Bishop Indrias Rehmat planted a tree at the Khushpur Parish House as part of a plantation drive, symbolizing the commitment to environmental restoration. Speaking to journalists, he and George Boota reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s dedication to the welfare of the Christian community. They emphasized that Dr. Yousaf Riaz and his team were invited to develop practical solutions to address the village’s environmental and economic challenges, ensuring a sustainable future for Khushpur.
Good initiative. Wishing the whole team great success in their mission. This is a national issue and must be managed.